On Wednesday, Oct. 25, prescribed fire personnel took advantage of the shift in conditions and commenced burning approximately 140 acres of vegetative debris piles west of Highway 87 between East Verde Park and Payson. The burning of debris piles generated a significant amount of smoke, but was virtually gone by the morning of Thursday, Oct. 26.

Residents, property owners, and visitors to Rim country can expect to see significant smoke for up to a week, with most smoke visibility likely to occur during Tuesday and Wednesday. The smoke will not only be visible during the day, but it is also expected to settle into drainages in the evening. In addition to Shadow Rim, Washington Park and Whispering Pines will experience the most impact from the operation.

Broadcast burning allows fire managers the important option of burning under the right conditions to reduce catastrophic wildfire danger by reducing debris off the forest floor from about 20-22 tons per acre to about 5-7 tons per acre.